“The purpose of story—of every story—is to help us interpret, and anticipate, the actions of ourselves and of others. And you have to admit, it’s a far less messy alternative than all that unspooling.” (Lisa Cron, Story Genius)
Writing Exercise: The Art of Anticipation in Character-Driven Narrative
Techniques to Develop:
1. Internal Logic of Character Decision-Making – A strong story makes the character’s choices feel inevitable yet surprising. Readers should sense the emotional and psychological forces behind every action.
2. Tension Through Expectation and Subversion – A compelling narrative builds anticipation by setting up plausible outcomes, then either fulfilling or subverting those expectations in ways that deepen character understanding.
3. Causality Over Chaos – Every scene should move logically from one moment to the next, avoiding randomness while maintaining organic unpredictability.
500-Word Writing Prompt:
Write a scene in which a character is about to make a critical decision. The choice must be deeply personal and have meaningful stakes, but the reader should not immediately know what the character will choose. Establish the character’s thought process, past experiences, and emotional state in a way that allows the reader to anticipate (or misinterpret) their final action. The moment of decision must be rendered with enough clarity that, in hindsight, the choice feels inevitable.
For example, a woman who hasn’t spoken to her estranged sister in 15 years gets a phone call—her sister is in the hospital. The woman stands by the phone, hand hovering. She is about to choose whether to visit or ignore the call. Every detail in the scene—the way she picks at a loose thread in her sweater, a glance at an old birthday card, a voicemail she once deleted—should deepen the reader’s ability to anticipate her action without outright stating her intention.
Evaluation Criteria for Success:
• The character’s internal logic must be clear without direct exposition (showing why they might make a certain choice rather than simply stating it).
• The scene should build tension by making the reader wonder which way the character will go, while simultaneously laying the groundwork so that, once revealed, the choice feels inevitable.
• The final action must be specific and telling—a physical movement, a spoken word, an irreversible step—not an abstract realization.
Weak vs. Strong Execution:
Weak: “She thought about her sister. They had never gotten along. But maybe things could be different now. She decided to go.” (This lacks depth, failing to show why the decision matters.)
Strong: “She traced the indent where her sister’s old number used to be in her phone. The screen buzzed again. This time, she let it go to voicemail, but her hand stayed resting on the receiver long after the silence returned.” (This creates ambiguity and inevitability, allowing the reader to interpret the choice while revealing the weight behind it.)
Follow-Up Questions for Workshopping and Revision:
• Does the character’s thought process feel authentic and consistent throughout the scene?
• Are there any moments where the decision feels forced or unearned?
• Is there a way to add more sensory or behavioral detail to deepen anticipation?
• Does the scene successfully balance mystery and inevitability?
Recommended Reading:
Tenth of December by George Saunders – The title story demonstrates masterful internal logic and expectation-subversion, making each character’s actions feel both surprising and inevitable.
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